Louisiana Bills

HB 638 establishes new agricultural conversion fees for large-scale solar development. This bill directly affects developers who plan to build solar farms on land previously used for agriculture, requiring them to pay these fees. An amendment specifies that these funds would be directed to the Louisiana Agricultural Finance Authority.

HB 637 authorizes the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to impose habitat conversion fees on large-scale solar power generation facilities. These fees apply to facilities with a footprint of ten acres or more, aiming to mitigate the loss of important wildlife habitats and species. The department will establish rules for calculating a per-acre fee, considering factors like habitat rarity, quality, and the presence of at-risk species. Funds collected will be deposited into the Conservation Fund and used specifically for protecting, replacing, or mitigating habitat loss caused by these solar developments.

SB 115 proposes a constitutional amendment to extend eligibility for a special, lower property tax assessment level. This change would apply to certain individuals who own residential property and already receive a homestead exemption. The bill aims to broaden the group of people who can qualify for this property tax benefit. Recent amendments to the bill have focused on adjusting various effective and election dates, primarily shifting them from 2026 to 2027.

HB 663 provides for the allocation of specific state sales and use tax collections. These collected funds are designated for the purpose of fortifying residential roofs. The bill specifically targets homes located within the coastal zone to enhance their resilience.

HB 338 provides for paid leave for employees who are living organ donors. The bill allows employees to take up to forty work hours of paid leave for an organ donation, though employers may agree to a longer period. Employers are also permitted to request verification for this leave.

HB 511 requires individuals or entities lobbying in Louisiana on behalf of a "foreign adversary" to register and file a specific disclosure with the Board of Ethics. A foreign adversary is defined by referencing federal government lists from the U.S. Department of the Treasury. This disclosure must be filed before lobbying activities begin and includes details about the lobbyist, the foreign adversary, its owners, business activities, and the specific matters being lobbied on. The Board of Ethics will maintain a public, searchable online database of these disclosures, and willful violations can result in fines up to fifty thousand dollars per offense.

House Bill 421 prohibits certain diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and instructional content within Louisiana's state agencies and public postsecondary education institutions. It prevents public colleges and universities from requiring specific DEI-related instructional content in undergraduate courses, while still allowing for discussions of historical events, medical topics, and content required by anti-discrimination laws. The bill also bans state agencies from establishing or maintaining DEI-related initiatives, trainings, or offices. DEI is broadly defined to include efforts related to hiring, policy promotion, or differential treatment based on characteristics like race, ethnicity, or gender identity.

SB 33 establishes the Government Accountability and Innovation for Net Savings (GAINS) tax credit program, which authorizes an individual income tax credit for eligible state employees. This credit is awarded to employees who identify and propose cost-saving measures that are approved and implemented by state agencies. If a proposal leads to certified state savings, the employee can receive a tax credit equal to 30% of those annual savings, distributed over three tax years. The total amount of GAINS tax credits certified in any fiscal year is capped at $10 million.

HB 237 addresses the use of seclusion and physical restraint for students with exceptionalities in schools. The bill defines specific terms like "seclusion" and "physical restraint" and outlines conditions for their use, primarily in situations posing an imminent risk of harm. It mandates that teacher preparation programs include training on crisis intervention and behavior management strategies for students with disabilities. Additionally, the bill requires the installation of cameras in special education classrooms and for schools to report and document instances where seclusion or physical restraint are used. Information regarding these practices must also be made available to parents of students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs).

SR 92 directs the state Department of Education to provide a detailed report to the Senate committees on education and finance by December 31, 2025. This report must review the history and purpose of the original Charter School Demonstration Programs Law and evaluate the success of its evidence-based approaches. It requires specific data, including the number of participating and closed charter schools and state tax dollars spent, with the Louisiana Legislative Auditor reviewing the report and submitting findings by April 1, 2026.

House Concurrent Resolution 40 (HCR 40) establishes the Louisiana Grid Efficiency Task Force. This task force will be composed of members from both the House and Senate, along with appointees from the natural gas and oil and nuclear energy industries. The task force is created to address matters related to energy grid efficiency in Louisiana. A key provision of the resolution prohibits the task force from endorsing or opposing any legislation.

HB 599 revises Louisiana's state finance laws, primarily focusing on the Budget Stabilization Fund. The bill modifies the types of state revenues, including excess general funds and certain mineral revenues, that are deposited into this fund. It also increases the maximum balance allowed in the Budget Stabilization Fund from four percent to seven and a half percent of the state's previous year's total revenue. Additionally, it clarifies how specific mineral revenues are categorized for other state funds and repeals some existing revenue dedications and treasury accounts.